Concentrations of Few Trace Metals in Coastal & Offshore Regions of the Bay of Bengal

Abstract

Cu, Fe, Mn, Zn, Co and Ni in dissolved and particulate fractions of sea water at different depths were estimated from 9 stations in the Bay of Bengal. Concentrations of dissolved and particulate Fe were fairly high at coastal stations, specially at the river mouths. Cu at the nearshore stations was high but there was no marked difference between the nearshore and offshore concentrations, so as to reflect the possibility of river input. Dissolved Zn and Ni were low at the surface than in deeper layers contrary to Mn. particulate fractions of Fe and Zn were significant, while Co and Ni were not significant; Cu and Mn showed intermediate values.